Monday, September 21, 2009

MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY

I am linking up with my friend, Mom's The Word to participate in her Monday meme, "Making Your Home Sing Monday." It's a day when we share what we are doing to bless our families in our home. If you would like to join in, click here.

For the last couple of weeks, my home has been singing since we've been on "schedule" with school. They say if you do something consistently for a certain amount of time, it will become habit, or second nature.

Now, that could be for something good, and/or even bad.

I've always been a procrastinator. If any of my friends or family is reading this right now, they're nodding their head in agreement! I don't know why it is, but I love the challenge (so I tell myself) of getting things done at the last minute. I know..NOT A GOOD HABIT! This is probably why I'm making such a big deal about keeping up with our schedule this year.

So, last week, we were still moving along just fine, but I also want to make some adjustments from here on out. I'm finding myself rushing through my devotions just so I have time to do other things before the kids wake up. If I wake myself up earlier, I won't be trying to fit in my devotion time at the last minute. Because, once they get up, forget about it. I won't get that precious time back.

I want my time with the Lord to have substance. I don't want to go through the motions just so I can say I had quiet time with Him. I want to soak in all He has for me, and not just get it over with. I don't want to have the attitude that it's just another chore that I have to mark off of my list. Without Him, my day would be messed up. Well, sometimes it is, but I need Him to get me through it.

So, to make my home sing this week (and every week after), I'm going to spend quality time with the Lord. I know that when I put Jesus first, and and keep my eyes on Him, the less I will be focused on the little things that try to trip me up.

30 comments:

Denise said...

Wonderful, wonderful.

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

I do exactly the same Alicia. Feels like I am going through the motions sometimes and just rushing the Bible reading. God knows us mums are busy though so don't beat yourself up too much!
Love Collette xxxx

Jennifer said...

Amen! I have the same problem! I feel like the only time I can spend in the Word is at night, when the hubs and baby are asleep. But by then I'm too tired and sleepy to be focused! Ugh. I know what I need to do now. :-)

A Lady Called Amy said...

I find that even though I don't have a specific time set aside I do take time continously throughout the day to read the Word and pray. I am almost constantly praying! It's a great thing, and I will pray that you find the time you need/want with the Lord! :-)

Laurencita said...

Amen and Amen.

Susie said...

What a great idea! Take your oxygen first:-)

Stacy said...

That is a wonderful way to make your home sing!!! I am also trying to find that time to spend with the Lord.

You are such an encouragement to me Alicia!

really.truly said...

You can't go wrong doing that!

Darcie said...

Loved this post! It's so true...God wants our precious time, not our spare time. Thanks for the reminder.

Liz Mays said...

I'm a procrastinator too but I don't love the last minute challenge at all! You are nuts! ;)

Pilar said...

I know what you mean about rushing through my devotional time :(

great choice you made!

Robyn said...

Amen to that! A great choice you have made.

Happy said...

Your words ring so true. It can be hard to "squeeze the Lord in" and how bad is that? I am so guilty of the same.

Just reading makes me feel recommitted to looking it at as time to savor with Him. Thanks!

Alicia W. said...

Fantastic choice! Love this post Alicia - hope you guys had a great weekend. Hugs!

He & Me + 3 said...

I know what you mean and then if one of them wakes up early...quiet time is just out the window. Great choice. I need to do this too.

Kathy C. said...

Alicia, that's definitely the ONE thing we all need to get through each day - kudos to you for putting Him first and knowing how much you need Him in order for the rest of the day to run smoothly (or semi-smooth!). :)
I have read this meme on your blog for a while now and today I participated for the first time. :)
Have a beautiful, Jesus filled day my friend!

Kathy C. said...

Alicia, that's definitely the ONE thing we all need to get through each day - kudos to you for putting Him first and knowing how much you need Him in order for the rest of the day to run smoothly (or semi-smooth!). :)
I have read this meme on your blog for a while now and today I participated for the first time. :)
Have a beautiful, Jesus filled day my friend!

Helene said...

Oh this is such a great reminder for those of us experiencing the same thing! Sometimes I'll go days without any prayer time and I can feel it in my attitude and the things I do. I just feel so much better when I've spent that time in prayer in a good, quality way. It seems to make the rest of my day flow better!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

I don't think you can ever go wrong there! I love a good quality time with God!

momstheword said...

Thank you for this reminder, I needed to hear it today. It's like the difference between a protein shake and a full course meal. One is rushed and on-the-go and a substitute for the other.

I have a son who will procrastinate on some (and only some) things, he says he "likes the challenge." I say he's just stressing himself out, lol!

momstheword said...

Oh, and thank you for joining us today!

Pam said...

This is a great post. WE all need to remember to do this first.

Lyryn said...

Your home will sing when you put Jesus first! It’s great that you have acknowledged that you and want to work on it. It’s something I need to start doing more too!

Debra Kaye said...

Oh Alicia,

I couldn't agree more my friend. I pray it goes well for you...I find when I have quality time with the Lord, everything else does go so much better! How could it not!

Love ya sweet sister.

Debbie said...

You are so right - that will make your home, and everything else, sing. Good for you!

Honey Mommy said...

Getting up early is hard, but it is so worth it.

Parsley said...

Thanks so much for being a new blogging buddy.

God bless your week.

Erin said...

Alicia, Consistency is definitely the name of my game this year, too. Like you, I'm fighting to keep things prioritized and not give short-shrift of things that do matter (like your devotions)...on any day that I don't hold true to our schedule, things just don't go well. On the days that we do stick to the schedule, we all do better, feel better, and accomplish more. Good for you for recognizing early on what needs to happen. Having our children watch our struggles will only help them when it is there turn (I hope!) Anyway, I'm right there with you.

Muthering Heights said...

Yes...your whole life will sing! :)

Unknown said...

That's such good advice and a wonderful way to make our homes sing!!